







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| Upstairs, there is Diego and a British couple next to him. | |
| It's not a nice thing to do. | |
| Aren't there four of us dear? | |
| Your perfectly shaped mushrooms are ready! | |
| What do you want me to do with them? | |
| Yeah, I'll have a beer, I guess you want wine, Cate? | |
| I searched: does Pinocchio know he is not a real boy. | |
| He is the bartender. | |
| There's a whole 500g unopened packet. | |
| No she is a very cute, easygoing and friendly girl. | |
| Well, maybe we can get a 2 bedroom flat. What do you think? | |
| But one of them is £2.44 and the other one is £1.22. | |
| I don't know really, what's yours? | |
| That's so sad, how old are your parents? | |
| Erm, I can't work it out, I guess it's more than 150 years old. | |
| No, I'm not lying! I never lie. | |
| Yes I did, why, isn't it normal? | |
| Is there anything else you want me to do? | |
| They are both okay for me. | |
| Maybe I get a bit moody on the first day of my period. | |